In my English class, my classmates and I were given an essay exam on “The Odyssey”, whereas the professor asked the questions: “According to ------, why is there so much repetition in the Odyssey? And secondly, what are the effects of all this repetition on you as a reader of the Odyssey?”
My response is as follows, and came to be the response that he read to the class as primary example of magnificence!
…Eh, not really, but I found it interesting to hear him begin to recount my “psycho babble” (Skip down to italic part). Not to sound too boastful, but I do feel it is a fair piece of work considering it was created on the spot as well as the fact that I beat out a room full of English majors in attaining the status of ‘best response.’
…And thus, here it is:
“Repetition in The Odyssey is mainly due to the oral history of the Odyssey, as poets were able to memorize this incredibly long book; they did so with thoughtful strategies including rhyme as well as repetition. "And young Dawn with her rose-red fingers shown once more" acts as a characteristic phrase in which Dawn is given attributes to elaborate on the concept of morning coming. Such repetitious phrases as "Cunning Odysseus", "Brave Achilles", "Noble Hector" that are constantly repeated throughout The Odyssey and the Iliad act to drive home characteristics that the characters are known for.
It is often said that this repetition has a two-fold affect upon the reader. One, it enables the characters to quickly be defined - thereby creating the character as a physical manifestation of an ideal. "Noble Hector, Noble Hector, Noble Hector" drives the point that Hector is noble and thus represents nobility. Secondly, the repetition mimics the mindless repetition in life. As every morning, young Dawn climbs upon her thrown it becomes evident that the world continues with or without man. This repetition comes at key scenes in the Odyssey where tragic events are followed by "Young Dawn shown once more", thereby signifying that whatever happens in the mind of man the repetitious world continues to churn.”
